Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I follow the steps I see in front of me
They are deep and well-defined
They show an undefined but straight path
What has gone through me will never return
Future won't let me look back
I just walk, I don't evolve, I just walk
Animals run by my side
They try to communicate, each one in its own way
But I can't understand
I feel alone on this irrational planet
To create or just observe
I keep walking on this desert made of ideas
Primitive future
My head is heavy but empty
Everything around me is void, without movement
Without perspectives
The night invades the sky
That darkens the dry ground
Making my shadow join the big stain that's forming
My steps become slow and agonize
I step on skulls of generations that have not formed
I hear painful cries of wars that are to come
To create everything again, from the beginning
To teach new minds
To awake a sleeping giant buried
On the ashes of disgrace
It's scornful the way I live
I look well, I think I'm well
That's all
I follow the steps I see in front of me
They are deep and well-defined
They show an undefined but straight path
What has gone through me will never return
Primitive future
They are deep and well-defined
They show an undefined but straight path
What has gone through me will never return
Future won't let me look back
I just walk, I don't evolve, I just walk
Animals run by my side
They try to communicate, each one in its own way
But I can't understand
I feel alone on this irrational planet
To create or just observe
I keep walking on this desert made of ideas
Primitive future
My head is heavy but empty
Everything around me is void, without movement
Without perspectives
The night invades the sky
That darkens the dry ground
Making my shadow join the big stain that's forming
My steps become slow and agonize
I step on skulls of generations that have not formed
I hear painful cries of wars that are to come
To create everything again, from the beginning
To teach new minds
To awake a sleeping giant buried
On the ashes of disgrace
It's scornful the way I live
I look well, I think I'm well
That's all
I follow the steps I see in front of me
They are deep and well-defined
They show an undefined but straight path
What has gone through me will never return
Primitive future
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Great ending song! It's very epic and important to me! Sepultura kicks your face!
"I Follow The Steps I See In Front Of Me They Are Deep And Well-defined They Show An Undefined But Straight Path What Has Gone Through Me Will Never Return"
Tells you to look at things of what humanity had previously discovered to be well-tried. There are already society approved ways of examples for living, that you don't have to endlessly repeat your mistakes in a circle. "What Has Gone Through Me Will Never Return" means that you'll never be the quite same after everything you go through in lifetime.
"Future Won't Let Me Look Back" Means that you need sometimes cut the crap out of self pity if want get better
"I Just Walk, I Don't Evolve, I Just Walk" You are you and cannot be changed that easily.
"Animals Run By My Side They Try To Communicate, Each One In Its Own Way" Means no one does it in absolute right way, just like you.
"But I Can't Understand I Feel Alone On This Irrational Planet To Create Or Just Observe I Keep Walking On This Desert Made Of Ideas" "My Head Is Heavy But Empty ..."
You may still look the world as an old place and numb.
"I Step On Skulls Of Generations That Have Not Formed I Hear Painful Cries Of Wars That Are To Come To Create Everything Again, From The Beginning To Teach New Minds To Awake A Sleeping Giant Buried"
There's a new sucker born every minute and going hardships like you and need guidance.
"On The Ashes Of Disgrace It's Scornful The Way I Live I Look Well, I Think I'm Well That's All..."
It may have a contradictory sound to it, but basicly it tells you to say "FUCK IT" to your faults you have. In the end all that matters is your health and happiness and how you really want to live.
And finally..
"Primitive Future" I guess it means you'll maybe have little more simplistic point of view about world as you realize your needs and goals.
Damn that was long, but it was worth it! Hail Sepultura!